[FWDLK] Brake Self-Adjusters

[Mike and Sharon Higgins <clearcreek@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

It was commonly told years ago that when the brakes got hot or "locked up",
that the "self-adjuster over adjusted, and they gotta come off."  The fact
is that self adjuster, by their mechanical nature, cannot adjust the brakes
too tightly.  They can only turn the adjusting wheel when the brakes move
far enough, when applied while traveling in reverse, to force the lever far
enough to move the adjuster wheel.  What is usually the cause of locked up
or overheated brakes is worn or overheated return springs.  The nature of
"Self-Energizing " brakes is they are just that; they apply themselves
harder as they are needed.  In effect, the application of the brake pedal is
first to overcome the return springs, and the shoes begin to press harder,
and "Duo-Servo" brakes will apply themselves so that the forward-facing shoe
applies the rearward facing shoe, with much more force than available from
just the pedal application.  When the return springs are weak, they allow
the shoes to drag, creating more heat, and further destroying the springs.
Many times the self-adjusters were replaced with a manual adjusting kit
which included new springs and adjusting wheel, which of course, remedied
the problem of weak springs.

Mike Higgins
1955 Belvedere Sport Coupe

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